Cigar-bunching machine.



No. 738,636. PATENTEDVSBPT. 8,1903.

J0 El H CIGAR BUNGHING MACHINE.

V APPLIGATION FILED NOV. 11, 1902.

N0 MODEL. l 5 SHEETS-SHBET 1.

WITNES ES v er 7 I I Q Irma/ Er in: unnms Pz'rzas cu. Puowumq. WASNINGTON. n. c

IN VEN TOR 5 sums-sum 21.

PATENTED SEPT; a, 19.03. I

J., E; SMITH. CIGAR BUNGHING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED ROY. 11, 1902.

' o noun.

13x kw WA RM No. 738,636; PATENTED SEPT. a, 1903. J. E SMITH CIGAR BUNGHING MACHINE.

APILIQATION FILED Nov. 11, 1902.

5 sums-sum 3.

M. m M, N I

WITNESSES Th: mama PEFERS 00., Pnovmu'rnou WASHINGTON. n, c.

N0- 738,636. PATENTED SEPT. 831903..

J. E. SMITH.

CIGAR BUNUHING MACHINE; APPLICATION FILED NOV. 11, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

5 sums-sum 4.

llTzil If/VEN TO'R WITNESSES Arron/ Er No. 788,636. A

Patented September 8, 1908.

PATENT OF ICE.

JAMES EDWARD SMITH, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

C I GAR-BUNCHING MACHINE.

8PECIFICAT ION forming part of Letters latcnt No. 738,636, dated September 8, 1903.

' Application filed November 11, 1902. Serial No. 130.929. We model.)

whom it maty concern.- Be itkno wn that I, JAMES EDWARD SMITH, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of New York, borough of Manhattan,in the State of New York, have invented certairi new and useful Improvements in Cigar-Buuching Machines, of which the following isafull, clear, and exact specification.

Theprese nt-invention relates to improvements in cigar-bunching machines, examples of which are disclosed by prior Letters Patent of the United St'atesissued to me October 30, 1888, No. 392,076; February 5, 1889, No. 397,396;Apri19, 1889, No.40l,077; April 23, 1889,1Nos. 402,038 and 402,039,-.and on June 18, 1889, No. 405,439. '7

In my prior Letters Patent of the United States No. 393,727 for blanks for cigar-fillers and No. 393,726 for method of making cigarbunches, both dated November 27, 1888, I have disclosed a way of-preparing' leaf-tobacco for manufacturing long-filler cigars,

cigarettes, and cheroots. As therein set forth,

the bunch for a cigar, cigarette, or cheroot, has a long filler of leaf-tobacco extending continuously throughout the length thereof, and this bunch is made of the desired or any preferred shape by cutting the leaf in the shape of the cigar which it'is desired to produce, after which the prepared filler is rolled upon itself to produce the bunch of the desired contourand size,'the binder is rolled;

and the bunch should finally be wrapped to complete the product. The substantial advance secured in theart by these contribu-' tions thereto resides in the production of longfiller cigars rapidly and economically, each of which is free from compression of the tobacco or condensation of the bunch, has the desired longitudinal and cross sectional shape, and which will draw easily and regularly, or,in otherwords, the air and smoke can pass freely thro'ughthe filler and the cigarv'r'ill not burn more rapidly on one side The machine, to be hereinafter described,

has all ofits mechanisms and parts combined for an tomaticoperation to contin uously carry on the work of feeding long-filler leaf-tobacco to a cutter mechanism by which the tobacco,

is cut at regular intervals into fillers of any desired or preferred shape, and thereafter the shaped filler of long-leaf tobacco is de cluding an endless traveling trough consist-i ing of jointed links each having a self-opening side adapted to permit of the readyintroduction of a long-filler leaf of tobacco sidewise into the endless trough, \vherebya number of long tobacco-leaves may be introduced by practically unskilled labor.

In cooperative relation to the trough is a gage disposed, preferably, in overhanging relation to the space of the trough at the open side thereof,

through which the long filler is adapted to be introduced. This gage determines or regulates the thickness of the filler or the diameter of the'completed bunch.

7 Another essential feature of the improved machine resides in the filler-cutting mechanism, whichconsists of a die-box throughwhich the filler is fed by the filler-forming mechanism,.a cutter to give the desired shape to the head end of the filler, and another cutter to impart the proper shape to the tuck end of the filler, said head and tuck cutters havingv the proper contours and being interchangeable in a moments time with other cut ters of various dififerent shapes in order to produce fillers and bunches of any character demanded by the trade.

Another element of the improved machine resides in a filler-discharging device comprising a receptacle disposed in a position to receive the cut filler from the die-box and a plunger operable in said receptacle, the latter being provided with a. normally closed bottom arranged to be opened on the descent of the plunger which serves to carry the filler from said receptacle to the binder-rolling devices. This plunger and the cutter devices are intermittently actuated by operative connections with a double cam on a suitable shaft. The cam has one of its members arranged to drive the vertically-movable plunger twice to every movement'of the cutter devices, because it is only necessary 'to'a'ctuate the latter once to every two movements of the plunger, owing to the peculiar action of the cutter devices, while the remaining member of said double cam imparts movement to the cutter devices alternately with respect to next time, such periods of long and short movementsof the filler-forming trough being repeated automatically in proper sequence and working in harmony with the effective strokes of the double cutter devices in order that fresh filler in proper lengths may be brought into position for action thereon by the cutter devices. This feed-motion embodies an alternating ratchet mechanism comprising an intermittently-driven shaft arranged to impel the endless filler-trough and carrying a single ratchet, a shiftable pawllifter normally held in a given position with relation to the ratchet by a retractor device, a pawl carrier movable on the shaft as its center of motion and carrying a pawl arranged to engage the ratchet, an eccentric linked to the pawl-carrier and arranged to actuate the latter and the pawl in a manner to make the pawl impel the ratchet and the shaft a distance equivalent to the long feedmotion of the endless filler-trough, a cam rotating at less speed than the ratchet, and trip devices actuated at proper periods by the cam and connected with the pawl-lifter to throw the latter into engagement with the pawl, whereby the pawl is held inactive for a short period during a part of the turn of the pawlcarrier under the motion of the eccentric, so that the pawl will not act for so long a period on the ratchet as in the first instance, in consequence of which the ratchet and the shaft will be turned a less angular distance and the desired short feed-motion will be given to the filler-trough. As a result of the oneperiod movement of the cutter devices to the two periods of movement of the plunger and of the alternating long and short periods of intermittentfeed of the filler-trough I am able to cut bunches of long filler without waste each of the same length and emerging from th'e'machine in reversed orderthat is to say,

the headand tuck ends of one bunch will occupy a reversed order to the tuck and head of the next bunch. 13y producing bunches of I filler in alternating or reversed order one bewhile the next hunch is what is known as a left-hand bunch, which must be wrapped (if done by hand) by rolling it in a wrapper under the left hand, such designations of right and left hand wrapping being well understood by those skilled in the art.

The invention further consists in the construction, arrangement,.and combination of parts and in the organization of :mechanisms which will be hereinafter more fully described, and the actual scope of the invention will be defined by the annexed claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate like parts in each of the several figures.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a machine for making long-filler soft cigar-bunches. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the machine. Fig. 3 is an elevation looking at the left-hand end of the machine shown by Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional elevation through the die-box and the cutters forming the filler-cutting mechanism, showing the delivery portion of the endless filler-trough and one of the filler-tucking wheels. Fig. 5 is a plan view,on a reduced scale as compared with Fig. 4, of the die-box. Fig. 6 is an elevation looking at the rear portion of the die-box shown by Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is an inverted or bottom plan view of a portion of the fillertrough. Fig. 8 is a side elevation of a portion of the filler-trough. Fig. 9 is a crosssection on the line 9 9 of Fig. 10 through the filler-trough. Fig. 10 is a top plan view of the filler trough. Fig. 11 is an elevation looking'at one side of the alternating ratchet devices forming the feed-motion for the fillertrough. Fig. 12 is a sectional elevation of a part of the alternating ratchet,illustrating the normal position ofthe pawl-lifter and the pawl to effect a partial rotation of the ratchet and the intermittently-driven shaft. Fig. 13 is a sectional elevation similar to Fig. 12, but showing the pawl-lifter in an active position to hold the pawl free from engagement with the ratchet for a limited period in order to effect the short period of advancing movement to the filler-trough. Fig. 14 is a detail plan view of the cam and a part of its shaft, the same adapted to actuate the trip devices of the alternating ratchet mechanism.

In the practical embodiment of my invention in a cigar-bunching machine the several mechanisms are mounted on a suitably-constructed framework, (indicated in its entirety at A in Figs. 1, 2, and 3.) The upper portion of this framework carries a horizontal table B of any appropriate shape and dimensions and arranged at an elevation to suit the convenience of an operator, Who is stationed alongside of the machine for the purpose of placing long leaves of tobacco in a fillerforming mechanism. This table B is provided with a tobacco-receptacle b, in which is deposited a suitable quantity of leaf-tobacco, the samehaving been prepared in a way to adapt thesame for manufacture into cigars as, for example,by moistening the tobacco. At oneend of the table the frameworkis provided with horizontal shaft-bearings, one of which is indicated at 5, and in these hearings is journaled a horizontal shaft 6, adapted to serve as the means for advancing the endless trough which constitutes the filler-forma longitudinal slot or opening, the position of which is indicated at d in Fig. 2, said slot having an inclined or curved surface at d, adapted to automatically close the fillertrough, as will hereinafter'appear. The fillerdriving shaft 6 isintermittently actuated by the alternating ratchet devices in a manner to advance the endless filler-trough with alternately long and short periods of movement, andthis filler-trough travelsaround the driving sprocket-wheel '7 in a manner to deliver the filler of long-leaf tobacco to the die-box D of the. cutter devices.

One of the important features of my filler-. forming mechanism is the sectional constructionof the same and the provision of hinged or pivoted sides arranged to be opened and closed automatically as themembers of the filler-trough move along the table and beyond the latter. This tiller-trough consists of links ,a 8 9, pivotedend to end to form two chains,

which are arranged side by side in parallel relation, as indicated by Figs. 7, 9, and 10. These .chains'are adapted to be connected by transverse pivotalrods 10, which pivot the links thereof in series, and said rods work or fit in the notches of the sprocket-wheels, as

will bereadil y understood. The chains carry the plurality of members 0 which form the endless trough, and each memberis provided with a movable side 0, which is hinged or pivoted at c to the side 0 (See Fig. 9.) The permanent side 0 of each trough member .is secured at a to the companion links of the chains, and thus the pairs of links are adapted to carry the endless seriesof trough members, whichare adapted to travel with the linksaround the sprocket-wheels, as shown by Fig.4, while the trough members in the horizontal upper and lower parts of the endless trough will lie close together in a manner forthe upper lead of the trough to present a pocket or receptacle in which the 'filler-tobacco. can be easily. arranged by the hands of the-foperato'r. The slot'd in the table is wide I enough for the members of the trough to open fully as the upper lead of the endless trough travels along the 'table,.and the sides 0 of this'trough open of themselves as they pass l upwardly around the idler-sprocket, so that then pper edges of the sides 0 will move along the table flush therewith during the timet-hat the trough members are in positions to receive the tobacco filler. As the members of the trough approach the inclined or cam surface d of the table the hinged sides 0 ride against this curved surface and are automatically and positively closed thereby.

, The die-box D is supported in a stationary position on the framework A to lie substantially in the horizontal plane of the upper lead of the endless filler-trough and substantially in line therewith, whereby the filler from the endless trough is adapted to be dispasses around the sprocket-wheel 7, aslindicated by Fig. 4. This die-box D has a bottom section d and a top plate (1 said bottom section being peculiarly formed to pro duce the sides (1* of the box. The bottom section at of the box and the sides at are in ternally shaped to make the box assume the contour shown by Fig. 6, and these sides d are cut away at their front edges, as inditions of the sides at are curved, as indicated at 12, and thereby constitute cutting edges which are adapted to cooperate with the head cutter of the cutter devices in order to act with a draw or shear cut. The bottom (1 of :the die-box is made narrow and tapering at its front end to produce a tongue 13, which is. curved upwardly and rearwardly, as shown by Fig.4, and projects into the pocket or space of the filler-trough at the place where it passes around the sprocket-wheel, as shown, whereby the tongue 13 is adapted to serve as a pick-up in taking the tobacco filler from the trough and directing the same into the lower portion d of the die-box. The bottom of the die-box is tapered to a point approximately the shape of a letter V, this rear end portion of the bottom corresponding in shape to the rear end portion of the top plate (1 which is shown more particularly by Fig. 5. top plate (i is secured by screws or other fastenings to the sides of the die-box, and in this plate d is formed-a V-shaped slot 14, while the rearend of the plate has a V shape, as shown clearly by Fig. 5. Althoughl have described the slot 14 as being V.-shaped and the end 15 of the plate as being. likewise shaped it will be understood that these parts may be of any desired configuration to form the tuck and head of a cigar-bunch, as will presently appear. The bottom d of the diebox is provided with a V-shaped' slot; 16, a portion of which is indicated in Fig. 4, said slot 16 corresponding in shape to the slot 14 and disposed in alinement or registration therewith. The tapered rear end of the top plate (1 is inclined downwardly at aslight angle toward the tapered rear end portionof the bottom d as shown by Figs. '4 and .6,

thus preventing the filler or. embryo bunch charged directly into the die-box as the trough cated at 11 in Fig. 4, while the rear end por- IIO This

a is fitted slidably in a guideway 18 on the upper front portion of the framework. This slide or bar is disposed immediately over the die-box D, and to the lower end of the slide is firmly secured a cross-head 19. (See Figs 1' and 4.) This cross-head carries the headcutter E and the tuck-cutter F, the same beving shown by fulllines in Figs. 1 and 4 and the shape of which is indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 5. These cutters are provided at their upper ends with the plates 6, which are fitted against the bottom side of the cross- I head 19 and are secured firmly and detachably thereto by the screws ff, thus making provision for the ready removal of cutters of one shape and the substitution of other cutters having different shapes. The head cutv ter or knife E consists of two sides disposed at an angle to each other and having the length and shape to cut the filler according to the shape of the head of the cigar which it is desired to produce. The tuck cutter or knife F has two sides disposed at an angle to I each other to produce a tuck of the desired shape in the filler or embryo bunch; but I prefer to make the sides of the tuck-knife F at a greater angle than the sides of the headknife E, as will be seen by reference to Fig. 5. The tuck-knife F is provided at its lower portion with cutting edges, and this knife is carried by the cross-head in a position vto work in the alined slots 14 16 of the die-box. Ina similar way the head-knife E is provided with cutting edges at its lower portion, and this knife is arranged to work past the edges of the tapered top and bottom portions of the die-box and with the curvedside portions 12, whereby said knife E operates snugly against the rear portion of the diebox to cleanly cut the filler with a draw or shear cut.

The slide or bar 17 and the knives or cutters are actuated by a lever 20, arranged in a substantially horizontal position in the upper partof the framework. (See Figs. 2 and 3.) This lever is hung or fulcrumed at one end, as at 21, on the framework, and the other end of the lever is connected pivotally at 22 to the slide 17. (See Fig. 2.) At a point intermediate of its length this lever 20 is equipped with a friction-roller 23, (see dotted lines in Figs. 2 and 3,) arranged to travel in a camgroove 24 of a double cam 25, the latter being rigidly secured to the upper portion of a vertical shaft 26, which is mounted in vertical alined bearings provided in an end portion of the framework A. The lower end of this shaft is equipped with a bevel gear-pinion 27, which meshes with a similar bevel gear-wheel 28, the latter being rigidly secured to a horizontal counter-shaft 29, that is journaled in suitable horizontal bearings at the lower porpower, and said shaft/32 is provided with a clutch member 35, which is keyed to the main shaft in order to rotate therewith and to be capable of a slidable movement thereon under the movement of a shipper-lever 36, the latter being hung on the framework A, suitably connected to the clutch-section and pivoted to a treadle-lever 37, whereby the operator may throw the machine into and out of operation. The sleeve 33, which is loosely mounted on the main shaft and carries the spur-pinion 31, is provided with a clutch-face 38, adapted to be engaged by the slidable clutch member 35, and this sleeve serves to drive the vertical shaft and the double cam through the described train of gearing and to also drive the shafts that operate the alternating ratchet for the filler-forming mechanism. The double cam 25 is provided with another cam-groove 39, having two high points, whereas the cam-groove 24 is provided with only one-high point, and the two high points in the groove 39 with the one high point of the groove 24 makes the three active portions of this cam. The high point of the camgroove24is disposed coincident with one ofthe high points in the cam-groove 39, and thus the cutter devices are actuated simultaneously with the plunger 40 at one of the strokes thereof. This plunger 40 is one of the elements of the filler-discharging devices,and itis disposed in a vertical position alongside of the slide 17 (see Fig. 1) for movement in a vertical path and parallel to the slide. This plunger is arranged to slide in a guideway 41, which is provided in the upper front portion of the framework, and to the rear side of the plunger is pivoted, at 42, the front end of a lever 43, the latter being hung at a point intermediate of its length, at 44, on the framework. This lever is provided with a rearwardly-extending short arm 45, on which is fitted a shiftable counterweight 46, that is held at a desired point of adjustment by a set-screw 47, whereby the lever is counterweighted in a manner to impart a quick upward movement to the plunger each time the high point of the cam-groove 39 clears a friction-roller 48, that is loosely mounted on the lever 43 at a point to one side of the fulcrum 44. This roller 48 is represented by dotted lines in Figs. 2 and 3, and it travels in the cam-groove 39 of the double cam to be acted on by the two high parts thereof. The lower end face of the plunger 40 is provided with a curved groove or recess 49, (see Fig. 3,) and this grooved end of the plunger is arranged to play in a recepta.

cle 50, the latter being firmly secured .ina horizontal position on the framework. This receptacle 50 is arranged in alinement with the die-box D, as shown by Fig.1,in order ceptacle at proper intervals and into the'path;

The bot- ,of the recessed end of the plunger.

tom portion of the receptacle 50 is normally closed by the flap or flaps two of which are preferably employed, as shown by Fig. 3.

These flapsor doors are hinged individually at 52to the opposite sides of the receptacle, and these flaps or doors may he kept in closed 1 alined positions by springs, such'as 53, or

t is provided with a raised portion 55, across.

i in a suitable fixed casing 63".

their equivalents. (See Fig. 1.)

The mechanism for applying the binder to the filler after the latter is delivered from the receptacle 50 isindicated more clearly by Figs. 1 i 1, 2. and 3, in which a rolling-table is indi .cated at 54, the latter being rigidly secured tothe framework to extend outwardly there from and to assume a horizontal position in the path of the plunger. This rolling-table which extends an apron 56, one end of which is secured between the table and its raised portion, while the other end is fastened to the framework, as shown more clearly by Fig. l

3. This apron has a certain allowance of slack, and it is traversed by a roller 57, which is arranged to ride against the lower side of (See Fig. 3.) The roller 57 is idly mounted in a pair of plates 58, which are fastened to opposite sides 59 of a forked end atthe upper extremity of an. upright lever 59, said plates being ad-. justably fastened to the lever. (See Fig. 3.)

This lover is fulcrumed on outwardly-extending brackets 60 of the framework,and to the lever is pivotally and adjustably connected a link 61, the latter being likewise connected to the upper portion of an actuating-lever 62, which lever is fulcrumed by a rock-shaft 63'within the framework. This actuating-lever is provided with a stud 64, on which is idly fitted a roller arranged to that drives the vertical shaft 26. crum-shaft or rock-shaft 63 has a stud against which acts a coiled spring 63, (shown by dotted lines in Fig. 3,) said spring beinghoused This cam through the lever 62 actuates the lever 59 and the roller therein to coil or wrap a binder around the filler, thereby completing the cigar-bunchand deliveringthe latterfto a receiver 67, which isattached to'the rolling-table at the delivery end of the apron56.

In connection with the endless filler-trough I employ a gageGS, which is arranged longitudinally of the table B on the opposite side of the filler-trough from the tobacco-receptacle bthat is to say, the filler-trough lies between the gage 68 and the receptacle, as shown by Fig. 2. This gage is arranged in close relation to the filler-trough at one side thereof and parallel therewith, and said gage may be mounted on the table B for adjustment to a limited extent and in avertical direction. ed to partly overhang the open portion of the This gage is fashioned or constructupper lead of the endless filler-trough, and

said gage carries or supports a series of idle friction-rollers 69. (See Fig. 1, wherein a portion of the gage is broken away to show the overhanging portion thereof and some of the rollers of the series.) This series of rollers are raised above the trough and the table at a sufficient height to allow the easy introduction of the leaf-tobacco into the trough, and the rollers are free to turn when the tobacco is carried along by the trough, said rollers being rotated by the movement of the tobacco and offering practically no resistance open side and top of the trough; but the primary function of these parts is to determine the depth of the tobacco in the trough, and

hence regulate the thickness of the fillet-and of the cigar-bunches. By adjusting the gage and the rollers relative to the trough the depth of the tobacco in the trough may be increased or diminished to secure the desired diameter of the cigar-filler and the bunches to be cut therefrom. The employment of the trough with self-opening side members in connection with the gage allows the machine to beworked by unskilled labor, and at the same time the machine will produce long-tiller bunches of the desired shape and size, because the operator is only required to take the leaves of fillertobacco from the receptacle 1) and to properly arrange them lengthwise in the trough below and against the gage which determines the depth of the filler or the diameter of the bunches when the filleris rolled in the binder. The end of the gage 68 terminates some distance short of the die-box, so that a portion of the filler-trough extends along the table beyond the gage before it discharges the filler into the die-box. To prevent the filler from rising above the trough after it leaves the gage and before entering the die-box, I employ the overhanging guide 70 and the gang secured to the framework A for vertical adjustment thereon, as shown by Fig. 1. The

other tucking-wheel 72 is similarly supported by a bolt 76 in the upper end of an arm 77, fastened'to theframework for vertical adjustmentthereon. The remainingtucking-wheel. 73 is smaller than the wheels 71 72 and is arranged in a-position between the same; but this smaller intermediate wheel is loosely mounted on a pin or bolt 78, which is secured to the middle portion of a horizontal bar 79. The end portions of this bar are fitted on the bolts 74 76, to be supported thereby, andby removing one of the bolts, as 76, the bar 79, with the wheels 72 73, may be raised or turned on the bolt 74, so as to withdraw the wheels.

72 73 from the trough for the purpose of obtaining access easily thereto in order to remove filler from the trough at the end of a days work, as is often desirable. ing-wheels do not exert any appreciable pressure on the filler of long-leaf tobacco; but

they serve to hold or confine the filler in the trough after it leaves the gage and before it: As a matter of fact, the

enters the die-box. filler or the bunch is not subjected to compression at any stage in the manufacture of the bunch, and hence I am able to produce long-filler bunches which are necessarily soft and spongy and which do not have the filler condensed or compressed, which is liable to interfere with the free drawing of the completed cigar.

I will now proceed to describe the alternating ratchet mechanism, which imparts the advancing movement to the filler-trough in a manner to give the alternate long and short periods of movement thereto, so that the filler will be cut by the knives E F to produce the embryo bunches in reversed order.

The bearing 5, which accommodates one end portion of the shaft 6, is provided with a rigid guide-block 80, (see Figs. 12 and 13,)

,said guide-block being of any suitable angular formas, for example, the square shape shown. On this guide-block is fitted ashiftable pawl-lifter 81, which is provided with a slot of such shape and dimensions that the pawl-lifter is fitted to the guide-block in a way to slide freely in a horizontal path for a limited distance. This pawl-lifter is in the form of a disk having a smooth peripheral surface, and against one face of the disk is arranged a single ratchet 82, the latter being rigidly secured to an end portion of the shaft 6, which passes through the bearing 5, the guide-block 80, and the ratchet. The diameter of the pawl-lifter is equal to that of the ratchet, and in the normal position of the pawl-lifter it is eccentric to the ratchet, as shown by Fig. 12. Said lifter is held in this eccentric position by a retractor device, herein shown as a spring 85, having a link 83 connected thereto, said link being pivoted to a plate 83, attached to the pawl-lifter 81, said link being slidably fitted in a casing 84,which is secured fixedly to a part of the framework.

These tuck- 'Within this casing is arranged the strong to make it pull the pawl-lifter into the normal eccentric position. A pawl-carrier 87 is loosely fitted on the outer extremity of the shaft 6, said carrier being in the form of a plate having lugs 88 88"at its ends and a curved flange 89, which overhangs and protects the ratchet 82. On one lug 88 of this pawl-carrier is mounted a feed-pawl 90, which is movable with the carrier and is disposed opposite to the edges of the ratchet and the pawl-lifter, and when the pawl-lifter is in its eccentric position, as shown by Fig. 12, the nose of this pawl is adapted to engage with one of the teeth of the ratchet; but when the pawl-carrier occupies the concentric relation to the ratchet, as shown by Fig. 13, the nose of the pawl engages with the edge of thelifter, so that the pawl cannot engage with the ratchet temporarily. This pawl is pivotally mounted on the carrier and is normally pressed by a spring 91 to an active position.

92 designates an eccentric-carrying shaft, which is journaled in suitable bearings in the lower part of the framework, and this shaft is equipped with a gear 93 and with a crank 91. (See Figs. 1 and 11.) The pinion 93 meshes with a spur-gear 95 on the sleeve 33, so that the shaft 92 is driven by the sleeve when the machine is in gear. The crank 94 is secured to an end portion of the shaft 92, and in this crank is fitted an adjustable block 96, which carries a crank-pin 97, said block 96 being held and adjusted by a screw 98. (See Fig. 11.) On this wrist-pin is fitted the lower end of a link 99, the upper end of which is pivoted at 100 to one lug 88 of the pawlcarrier 87, whereby the crank is adapted to reciprocate the link and impart rocking motion to the pawl-carrier 87, which in turn moves the pawl, so as to impart the desired movement to the ratchet, which in turn opcrates the shaft 6, that imparts the advancing movement to the filler-trough. When the crank moves the pawl-carrier and the pawl the distance determined by the throw of said crank-pin and the pawl-lifter does not operate or remains silent, so as to have no influence on the pawl, then the ratchet is turned an angular distance sufficient to im- E11 and 14;) or portion thereon constituting the cam. An

camrportion 106 secured thereto, (see Figs. said sleeve and the raised plate angular trip-lever 107 is fulcrumed on the framework in a position for one end thereof to ride on the cam, (seeFig. 11,) and this leveris provided with a shoulder 108, with which engages the lower end of a trip-lever 109, the latter being disposed in a vertical position and fulcrumed at 110 on the framecrank the shaft 101 portion 106ofthe cam 105 to the trip-lever 107, which isthereby raised and turns the lework, theupper end of said lever beingpivoted at 111 to the pawl-lifter. The crank operates the lever or link 99 to shift the pawlcarrier and make the pawl turn the ratchet a distancet'o impart thelongperiod of movement to the filler-trough,the pawl-lifter remaining inits eccentric position ,as has been described; but on the next rotation of the shaft 92 and the presents the projecting ver 109, so as to pull on the pawl-lifter against the tension of the spring 85, and thus throw the pawl-lifter against the pawl for the periodthat the high part106 of the cam engages withthe trip-lever. This has the efiect of holding the pawl out of engagement with the ratchet for a short period during the move ment of the pawl-carrier under the action of the crank .96 and the link 99; but these parts actuate the carrier and the pawl in a mannor for the latter to turn the ratchet a limited distance, lessthan the first period of movement, and thus the ratchet mechanism is con- 6 and the filler-trough for the desired short trolled and becomes eifective to turn the shaft period of movement. It will therefore be understood that the ratchet mechanism operates automatically to give a long period of movement to the filler-trough, then a shorter period of movement tothetrough, then a long period of. movement, and so on indefinitely; but the filler-trough is not advanced continuously, but only intermittently, because the ratchet. mechanism only becomes effective at certain periods, owing to the action of the crank. a

i The operation in general respects may be described as follows: Motion is comm unicated to the'shaft 32 by the pulley, and when the clutch 35 is thrown into gear with the sleeve or tubular shaft 33 the several mechanisms are driven in their proper order. One operator is stationed at the tableB to supply the tobacco-leaves to the trough 0, while a second operator is stationed at the rolling-tableto place the binders on the rolling-apron. The cutter devices and the plunger are operated so that the plunger makes two downward movements to one for the cutter devices, and the shaft 6 is rotated intermitplied continuously to the intermittently" moved trough and'th'at the latter is advanced with a long period of its movement, the tobacco filler is forcedthrough the die-box into"; a

position for the knives to act thereon.

slide, with the cross-head, is now depressed to 1 cess of the first filler is adapted to be closed together to form the tuck end of the first bunch in the process of com pleting said bunch by wrapping a binder thereon. The knives are now raised, and they remain in such raised positions fora short period. The filler-trough is now moved by the alternating ratchet mechanism in a forward direction and with a short period of movement, and the filler is advanced through the die-boX, so as to shove the first or cut bunch-fillerinto the receptacle 50,while the projectingtuck end of the second filler, which is as yet unsevered from the continuous length of filler, is moved far enough into the die-box for the projecting tuck end to lie close to the path of the head-knife E. The cutter devices do not descend at this short feed movement of the filler-trough; but the plunger does descend under the action of the triple cam, so that the first filler which was deposited in the receptacle is carried downwardly by the plunger, and thereby deposited in the binder-wrapping mechanism in a position to receive the binder, which is wrapped on the filler to completethe bunch. The filler-trough is now advanced again with a long period of movement, and the project ing tuck end of the second filler is carried beyond the die-box and into the receptacle for a distance equivalent to a bunch, and now the cutter devices descend simultaneously with the plunger. At this downstroke of the cutter devices the head-knife E and the tuck-knife F cut through the continuous strip of filler, so as to produce the second and third fillers for the second and third bunches, the second filler being formed with a projecting tuck end and a recessed head end, While the third filler is cut in the same shape as the first fillerthat is to say, said third filler has a projecting head end and a recessed tuck end. On the said lo'ng-perio d 'movement of the filler-trough the second hunch is placed in the receptacle 50 to be carried by the plunger to the binder-wrapping devices, which in their operation close the recessed head end of the cut filler at the same The i which it is desired to gives the shape to time the binder is applied, while the third cut filler remains in the die-box. The plunger and the cutter devices now rise and the filler-trough moves forward with a short period of movement to carry the filler strip or length along into the die-box, and thereby force the third cut filler into the receptacle,

whereby the plunger descends, while the cutter devices remain in their raised positions, thus causing the plunger to carry the third cut fillerintothebinder-Wrappingdevices. These operations are repeated indefinitely in order to advance the length of filler, cut the same into fillers of proper shape and length, and apply the binders to the fillers; but it is to be noted that the bunches are reversed end for end when delivered from the binder-wrapping mechanism, thus requiring the bunches to be rolled right and left, as has been previously explained.

I am aware that various modifications in the form, proportion, and size of the parts and in the details of construction may be made by a skilled mechanic Without departing from the spirit or sacrificing the advantages of my invention.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a cutter mechanism including head and tuck knives, means for advancing a tobacco filler for long and short distances alternately to said cutter mechanism, and means for applying a binder to cut lengths of said filler.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a cutter mechanism, a fillerforming mechanism, and means for intermittently transferring a continuous length of to bacco filler for alternate long and short distances from said filler-forming mechanism to said cutter mechanism.

3. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a filler-forming mechanism, a

cutter mechanism operable on a continuous length of filler to produce therefrom short shaped fillers, and means for advancing a continuous length of filler in alternate short and -long periods of movement to said cutter mechanism.

4. In a machine of the class described, the

combination of a filler-forming mechanism, .a cutter mechanism operable on a continuous length of filler to produce therefrom short shaped lengths of fillers, and means for intermittently advancing a continuous length of filler, with alternate long and short periods of -movement,fr0m the filler-forming mechanism to the cutter mechanism.

5. In a machine of the class described, the

combination of a filler-forming mechanism, a die-box in line therewith, a reciprocable cutter-head, head and tuck knives movable with said cutter-head and arranged to traverse the die-box, and means for intermittently actuating the filler-forming mechanism to advance a continuous length of filler for alternate long and short distances into the path of said head and tuck knives.

6. In a machine of the class described, the

combination of a die-box having shearing edges, a head-cutting knife arranged to traverse certain shearing edges of the die-box, a tuck-cutting knife to traverse other shearing edges of the die-box, means for imparting re ciprocable movement to said knives, and means for feeding a length of tobacco into said die-box.

7. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a filler-forming mechanism, a cutter mechanism including reciprocatory knives, a binder- Wrapping mechanism, a plunger arranged to transfer cut lengths of filler from the cutter mechanism to the binderwrapping mechanism, and means for actuating the cutter mechanism half as often as the plunger.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a filler-forming mechanism, a set of reciprocatory cutter-knives to produce short shaped lengths of filler, a binder-wrapping mechanism, means for intermittently advancing a length of filler to the cutterknives, a plunger to transfer cut lengths of filler from beyond said knives to the binder- Wrapping mechanism, means for reciprocating the plunger, and means for reciprocating the cutter-knives at each alternate stroke of the plunger.

9. In a machine of the class described, a filler-forming mechanism comprising an endless sectional trough each section having one side self-opening, combined with means for closing said sides of the trough-sections, and

cutter devices to sever a continuous length of filler into short lengths of filler,

10. In a machine of the class described, a filler-forming mechanism including an endless trough comprising a series of hinged sections each having an outwardly-movable side, and means for closing the sides of the trough as the latter is moved, combined with a cutter mechanism, and means for imparting movement to the trough intermittently.

11. In a machine of the class described, a

filler-forming mechanism including endless chains, and a series of trough-sections attached to the links of the chains and each having a self-opening pivoted side, combined With a cutter mechanism, means for intermittently moving the trough, and means for closing the pivoted sides of the trough.

12. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a movable filler forming trough having one side thereof arranged to open automatically, and a stationary gage disposed adjacent to the non-opening side of said trough and in overhanging relation to the cavity or chamber of said trough.

13. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a table, a movable filler-formfiller-trough, each section having one side self-opening, a filler-regulating gage disposed adjacent to the non-opening side of the trough and leaving the trough free 'to' be properly filled with leaf-tobacco, and rollers carried by said gage in position. over the trough. 15. In a machine of the class described, the combinationof an endwise-movable trough having self-opening members at one side, a gage disposed adjacent to the closed side of the trough, and a receptacle. for a supplyof filler-tobacco adjacent to the open side of the trough.

16. In a machine ofthe class described, the combination of a table, an endwise-movablei trough having one side composed'of movable sections arranged to open in substantially flush relationto the top of the table, a gage adjacent to theclosed side of the trough, and a receptacle for a supply of filler-tobacco near the open side of the trough.

17. In a machine of the class described, a

cutter mechanism having a head-knife and a tuck-knife, combined with means for ad vancing a length of filler to said knives, and means for discharging cut lengths of filler from beyond said knives.

18. In a machine of the class described, a cutter mechanism comprising a die-box, a head-knife, a tuck-knife, and means for moving the knives across said die-box, combined with means for advancing a filler to said diebox and into the path of the knives.

19. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a filler-trough, and means for moving the trough intermittently, of a cutter mechanism including a die-box and a i set of head and tuck knives, said die-box being disposed adjacent to the delivery end of the trough to receive a filler therefrom.

20. In amachine of the class described, the combination with a filler-forming trough, of a die-box disposed in alinement with said trough and provided with a pick-up which extends into said trough, said die-box havingknife-slots in angular relation in rear of said pick-up, ahead-knife adapted to traverse the die-box,a tuck-knife arranged to traverse the knife-slots in the die-box, and means for imparting reciprocating motion to said f knives.

21. In a machine of the class described, a cutter mechanism having a die-box provided with cutting-edges, a head-knife arranged to traverse said edges of the box, and a tuckcutter movable'across the box, in combination with means for feeding a continuous length 0t tobacco to said die-box. I

22. In a machine of the class described, a

cutter mechanism comprising a die-box having slots in its top and bottom and cutting edges at the delivery end of said box,a tuckknife arranged to play in the slots of the box, anda head-knife to traverse said cutting edges, combined with means for feeding a length of filler into said die-box.

23. In a machine of the class described, a filler-cutting mechanism including a headknife having converging sides, and a tuckknife also having converging sides, theapices of bothknives pointing in the same general direction, combined with a die box, and means for advancing tobacco filler into .the path of said knives.

24. In a machine for making soft-filler cigar-bunches, the combination ofan endwisemovable sectional filler-trough each section of which has one side self-opening, a cutter mechanism in line with the trough, a fillerregulating gage disposed adjacent to the nonopening side of the trough and leaving the trough free to be properly filled with 1eaf-tobacco, means for closing said self-opening.

sides of the trough, and filler-tuckin g devices cooperating with said troughand lying between the gage and the cutter mechanism, said tucking devices overhanging the trough and spaced relatively thereto for confining the filler in the trough, without subjecting said filler to compression.

25. Ina machine for making soft-filler cigar-bunches, the combination with a fillertrough, of a cutter mechanism in alinement.

with the trough,agage adjacent to the trough,

and filler-tucking devices lying between the cutter mechanism and the I gage and overhangingthe trough, said tucking mechanism being disposed in such relation to the cavity of the trough as to confine the tobacco filler anism in.line with the trough, and a gangot idle grooved tucking-wheels cooperatin g with said trough, certain of said tucking-wheels being adj ustable to inoperative positions rela-;.

tive to the trough for exposing the latter.

28. In a machine of the class described, the

combination of a filler-forming mechanism, a

die-box, a slide carrying knives to traverse the die-box, a binder-wrapping mechanism,

a plunger over said Wrapping mechanism, said die-box and the plunger being in line with the filler-forming mechanism and a double cam connected individually with the cutter-slide and the plunger to intermittently actuate the devices in due order.

29. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a filler-forming mechanism, of a reciprocatory cutter mechanism, a

hinder-wrapping mechanism, a plunger over said wrapping mechanism, said cutter mechanism and the plunger being in line with the filler mechanism and a double cam connected through intermediate devices with the cutter mechanism and the plunger to actuate both devices and to move the plunger twice to every stroke of the cutter mechanism.

30. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a cutter mechanism, a fillerforming mechanism, located in line with said cutter mechanism and an alternating ratchet mechanism operatively connected with said filler-forming mechanism to intermittently advance the same for alternately long and short distances.

31. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a filler-forming mechanism, and a driving-shaft therefor, of a ratchet on said shaft, a pawl-carrier having a pawl to engage said ratchet, means for actuating the pawl-carrier, and means to temporarily restrain the pawl from engagement with the ratchet at the alternate vmovements of pawlcarrier.

32. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a filler-forming mechanism, and a driving-shaft therefor, of a ratchet on said shaft, a rocking pawl-carrier equipped with a pawl to engage the ratchet, means for rocking the pawl-carrier, a cam, and means actuated by the cam to temporarily restrain the pawl from engagement with said ratchet during the alternate rocking movements of said carrier.

33. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a filler-forming mechanism, and a driving-shaft therefor, of a ratchet on said shaft, a pawl-carrier, a pawl on said carrier, a pawl-lifter normally out of operative relation to said pawl,.means for rocking the carrier, and a cam for controlling the relation of the pawl-lifter to said pawl.

35. In a machine of the class described, the

combination with a filler-forming mechanism, and a driving-shaft therefor, of a ratchet on said shaft, a pawl-carrier equipped with a pawl, a shaft 92, a crank on said shaft 92, a

link connecting said crank with said pawlcarrier, a cam-shaft 101, a camon said shaft 101, a pawl-lifter in eccentric relation to the ratchet, a retractor for normally holding said pawl-lifter in such relation, and means connecting the cam and the pawl-lifter in such relation as to periodically interpose the latter in the path of the pawl.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto af fixed my signature in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. I

JAMES EDWARD SMITH.

Witnesses:

BERNARD NEVELSO, HERBERT LEVENSON. 

